Grain drying process

ABSTRACT

In a grain column drier, a plurality of cooperating vertically and horizontally spaced distributing units automatically and continuously treat all the parts of the grain mass passing through the grain column mass by structure utilizing the angle of repose characteristics of grain mass at low velocity to help support the grain and without constricting the cross sectional available for flow of material through the column to provide uniform and efficient gas contact with all surfaces of the grain particles by exposing each particle of grain in each vertically extending grain column segment to contact drying air moving in three different mutually perpendicular planes.

United States Patent 1 H11 3,905,124

Cooper Sept. 16, 1975 1 1 GRAIN DRYING PROCESS [76] Inventor: Robert P.Cooper, Rt. 1, PO. Box Primary EXaminer'TJPhn Cawby 151 Amarillo 79106 IAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Ely S11verman [22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1974 1 1ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 504,663

Related US. Application Data Kleinberg 34/171 In a grain column drier, aplurality of cooperating vertically and horizontally spaced distributingunits automatically and continuously treat all the parts of the grainmass passing through the grain column mass by structure utilizing theangle of repose characteristics of grain mass at low velocity to helpsupport the grain and without constricting the cross sectional availablefor flow of material through the column to provide uniform and efficientgas contact with all surfaces of the grain particles by exposingeachparticle of grain in each vertically extending grain column segment tocontact drying air moving in three different mutually perpendicularplanes.

3 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures PATENTEU SEP I 6 I975 \Q I M PATENTED SEP 1s 1975 sum u 0? 7 FIG. /3

PATENIHJSEP m 3,905,124

sum 8 0F '1 FIG/4 AAA (D C AAA H615 AAA AAA AAA F/G/7 w FIG/8 AAA AAAFIG/9 A A A l620 AAA AAA GRAIN DRYING PROCESS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATIONS:

This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No.416,739 filed Nov. 19, 1973, now US. Pat. No. 3,864,845.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

1. THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of invention to which thisinvention pertains is grain drying in column driers.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Prior art column driers, whileeconomical to construct, regularly produce damage to grain treatedthereby resulting from the high temperature applied by the drying andheating gases to the portions of the grain directly and continuouslyexposed thereto while other portions of grain mass moved through theretowhile other portions of grain mass moved through the grain columns wereincompletely dried. Moisture analysis based on overall moisture contentof the grain mass did not distinquish between the composite of overdriedand underdried product increments and accordingly resulted in dischargefrom the drying columns of sufficient amount of grain particles ofundersirable amounts of moisture to create heating problems in storagebins to which such grains were passed following treatment in suchdriers, which condition necessitated further cycling of such grain tothe drier with added expense of heating for such drying as well as grainspoilage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Each rear portion of grain adjacent the outletscreen the inlet screen while supporting an upwardly exposed surface ofthat grain mass at its angle of repose directly to the hot air streamand directly passing hot air to that upwardly exposed grain surface andthrough the grain therebelow; and thereafter moving the said first rearportion of grain mass downward of the column along the inlet screenwhile exposing a vertical surface of said mass to the hot drying air,and then passing the originally front portion of the grain theretoforemoved to and adjacent the outlet screen towards said inlet screen whilesupporting and upwardly exposing a surface of that grain mass at itsangle of repose directly to the hot air stream and directly passing hotair through that upwardly exposed grain surface and through that grainmass to provide uniform and efficient gas contact with all surfaces ofthe grain particles by exposing each particle of grain in eachvertically extending grain column segment to contact drying air movingin three different mutually perpendicular planes. The apparatus for thisdrying improvement is similarly applied to the cooling section to therelikewise improve the efficiency of gas solid contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 is an overall view of theinstallation assembly 30 of which the grain dryer of this invention is apart.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged broken away view of zone 2A of FIG. 1, broken awayalong the section 2B-2C-2D of FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a vertical longitudinal cross-section of the grain treatmentapparatus 33 through section 3A3A of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an empty turning assembly 50.3 seenalong direction of arrow 4A of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is an end view partially in perspective as seen along thedirection of arrow 5A of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a phantom isometric view of the apparatus 50 shown in FIGS. 4and 5 with phantom showings of the locations of grain surfaces locatedin such structure and their movement during the operation of the graintreating apparatus 33.

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic top view along direction of arrow 7A of FIG. 8of the turning assembly 50.3 shown in FIGS. 4-6 during the operation ofthe apparatus 33 to show identified locations of portions of grainlocated in the units 50.3 during the passage of such portions of grainduring the operation of the assembly.

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic vertical section diagrammatically showing thelocation and movement of some of the portions of the grain shown in FIG.7 during the operation of grain treating apparatus 33; this view is avertical section along the section 8A8A of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic vertical section along section 9A9A of the FIG.7 to show the location and path of movement of some of the portions ofgrain shown in FIG. 7 during operation of the grain treating apparatus33.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic horizontal section at section to show thedistributions of the particles in FIGS. 8 and 9 at the level 10C-10C ofFIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 11 shows distribution of particles at level 11A of FIGS. 8 and 9during the operation of the grain apparatus 33'.

FIG. 12 is an overall diagrammatic exploded view of the separateoverlapping paths of movement of adjacent inner and outer zones of thegrain mass in the column 42 of apparatus 33 and the relative location ofportions of such zones at different vertical positions in column 42.

FIGS. 13-20 are diagrammatic representations of the location of theportions of grain at positions 13A-20A, respectively, of FIG. 12 andshown in plan view.

FIGS. 21A-F diagrammatically illustrate the shape and size of thehorizontal cross section area available in unit 55 of assembly 50 atlevels 21A-21F shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 22 is a diagrammatic longitudinal and vertical cross sectionthrough column 42 along a vertical section corresponding to the verticalplane 22A22A of FIGS. 2 and 6.

FIG. 23 is a isometric diagrammatic representation of grains in the mass80 adjacent grid 52 at zone 23A of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT:

trucks as 34A and/or trains loaded with grain to empty such grain at thelocation of the assembly 30 whereby to transfer grain to the bins as 31Aby conduits as 35D,

and, also, for transfer of grain to empty trucks whereby the full cycleof bringing grain to the storage facility and discharging from thestorage facility to a transport media as 34A is accomplished. Trucks areillustrated but transport media could be railroad cars as well. I

The dryer assembly 33 comprises a vertically extending interior chamber,40, in an exterior housing, 41, and a plurality of grain treatmentcolumns 42 and 42A and heating fan assembly 58 and a cooling fanassembly 59.

Housing 41 comprises vertical front and rear walls 41.1 and 41.2 andvertical left and right side walls 41.3 and 41.4

The front and rear walls 41.1 and 41.2 of the housing 41 and the leftand right columns 42 and 42A define a vertically extending gas inputchamber 40. A horizontal imperforate baffle 43 separates the chamberinto a lower cooling section 44 and upper drying section 45.

Vertically extending exhaust spaces 46 and 46A are located between theexterior surfaces of the columns 42 and 42A and walls 41.3 and 41.4.Vents 47 and 47A in the upper end of the lateral wall of the housing41.3 and 41.4 provides for exhaust of moisture laden air. Dischargeconveyors 48 and 48A at the bottom of the column 42 and 42A,respectively, discharge the treated grain into the boot or feed of thereturn conveyor 36, and are variable speed helical augers.

A garner bin 57 is located between walls 41.1, 41.2, 4l .3 and 41.4 atthe top of the columns 42 and 42A and the imperforate floor 57.1 thereofprovides for distribution of the grain therein to the top of each of thecolumns 42A and 42. The heater and fan assembly 58 comprises a heaterfan 58.1, a heater 58.2 and a duct 58.3 with a discharge opening 58.4 inwall 41.2 operatively connected so that the discharge duct openingthereof enters the dryer section of the air chamber above the baffle 43;a cooling fan assembly 59 comprising a fan 59.1 and a duct 59.2 with anopening 59. 3 is arranged with its discharge duct 59.3 entering thechamber 40 below the baffle 43 in the cooling section 44 of the chamber40 at the bottom end of wall 41.2 as

in FIG. 3.

The column 42 comprises a rigid open frame 25 composed of rigidspacedapart vertical members 26, 26 rigid spaced apart horizontalmembers as 27 and 27' firmly joined together and defining grid framespaces as 28 on inside 29 on outside, perforate flat inlet grid 52 inspaces 28, perforate flat outlet grid 53 in spaces 29 and turningsections 50, 150, and 250. I

The frame 25 is a rigid frame extending vertically and located withinthe housing 41, the frame supports in the spaces at its interior facethe inlet grid 52 and at its outer side of the outlet grid 53. The inletgrid and outlet grid are parallel to each other and in combination withthe walls 41.1 and 41.2 of the housing 41, provides a grain space 54 ofrectangular cross section within eachcolumn where through grain passesto be treated by warmed air or cool air from fans 58.1 and 59.1.

The column 42A comprises a rigid open frame 25A composed of rigid spacedapart vertical members 26A, rigid spaced apart horizontal members 27Afirmly joined together and defining grid frame spaces as 28A on insideand 29A on outside perforate flat inlet grid 52 in space 28A, perforateflat outlet grid 53A in space 29 and turning sections 50A, 150A, and250A.

The frame 25A is a rigid frame extending vertically and located withinthe housing 41, the frame supports in the spacesat its interior face theinlet grid 52A and at its outer side the outlet grid 53A. The inlet gridand outlet grid are parallel to each other and in combination with thewalls 41.1 and 41.2 of the housing 41, provides a grain space 54A ofrectangular cross section within each column wherethrough grain passesto be treated by warmed air or cool air from fans 58.1 and The columns42A and 42 are mirror image alike structures. Each column as 42 iscomposed of a plurality of like column segments 49, 149, 249 and 349 andlike turn assemblies 50, 150 and 250, with the turn assemblies locatedbetween the column sections (as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 22) and screens52 and 53 and supported on frame 25 members as 26 and 27.

Column 42 comprises a central portion 42.3, a front portion 42.1 and arear portion 42.2 each formed of like units. Portion 42.1 is composed ofthe front grain column segment portions 49.1, 149.1 and 249.1 and 349.1and turn units 50.1, 150.1 and 250.1.

In rear column portion 42.2 are similarly located the rear turn elements50.2, 150.2 and 250.2 and the rear grain column segment portions 492,149.2, 249.2 and 349.2 therebetween and in central portion 42.3 arelocated the central turn elements 50.3, 150.3 and 250.3 and the centralgrain column segment portions 49.3, and 149.3 and 249.3 therebetween and349.3 therebelow.

The turning assemblies 50, 150 and 250 are like in construction; thedescription accordingly given for assembly 50 applies to 150 and 150;however, the parts of assembly 150 are given referent numerals unitshigher than the referent numerals applied to the corresponding parts ofunit 50, while the structure parts in unit 250 corresponding to thesimilar structures in assembly 50 are given referent numerals 200 unitshigher than the corresponding referent numerals for corresponding partsin unit 50.

One turning assembly 50 is located between the baffle 43 and the bottom57.1 of garner bin 57 (the bottom 57.1 is the same as the roof of thedrying or heating sections 45 of gas input chamber 40) with the top ofsuch assembly 50 one-third of the distance between bottom of the gamerbin and the top of the baffle 43; another assembly is located with itstop two-thirds of the distance between bottom of the gamer bin and thetop of the baffle 43.

Each turning assembly 50 is composed of three structurally identicalunits 50.1, 50.2, 50.3 arrayed side by side as shown in FIG. 2. Eachunit as 50.3 is composed of a pair of identical sub-units 55 and 56 witha common median plate 68 adjacent portions of screens 52 and 53 andplates 69.1 and 69.2.

Assemblies 50.1, 50.2, 50.1A and 50.2A and 50.3A are identical to 50.3as are all the turn assemblies of assembly 33.

Each column segment as 49, 149 and 249 comprises the grids or screens 52and 53 and the horizontal and vertical members of frame 25 forming avertical rectangular sectioned rigid perforate container for a portionsame horizontal rectangular cross section, and the same horizontalrectangular cross section as the turn assembly units in vertical linetherewith (as 50.3, 150.3, 250.3, respectively).

In the following description of unit 50.3, the term central means in thedirection of arrow 81 towards the central plate 68 of unit'50 (whileforward and rearward are as shown in FIG. 2) lateral means in adirection away from the median plate 68, as shown by arrows 82 and 83;right and left are as shown by arrows 83 and 84, respectively, inwardrefers todirection of arrow 85 of FIG. 5 or movement toward chamber 40from space 46 while outward, as shown by arrow 86 of FIG- 5 and meanstoward space 46' from chamber 40.

The referent numerals 101-126 refer to the points of intersection ofedges or unit 50. Two of such points identify each of the lines andedges in FIG. 4 and 5, by indicatin'g'the line or edge between suchpoints. These points are tabulated in Table I.

Column segment 49 extends from the level or surface at the top of column42, immediately below garner bin 57 to the top level of the turn unit 50and segment 149 extends between the turn units 50 and 150 from a fewinches below the bottom of the upper turn unit (as points 111-115 ofunit 50.3) to the top level of the next turn unit 150. The top level ofeach turn unit, as 503, is a horizontal plane in which points as 106,107, 108, 109, 125, 126 and 128 are located.

The right unit 56 comprises, in operative combination, a right upperlateral centrally sloped rigid flat smooth surfaced panel 61, a verticalright transverse triangular rigid flat smooth surface panel 62, an upperrear central laterally sloped rigid flat smooth surface panel 63, arigid vertical right median panel 64, a lower right lateral inwardlysloped rigid flat smooth surfaced panel 65 and a lower right centraloutwardly sloped rigid flat smooth surfaced panel 66 firmly joined asshown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. As also shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the leftturnunit 55 of unit 50.3 is composed of a left upper inner central laterallysloped panel 71 operatively connected at its bottom to the top of avertically disposed left transverse rectangular panel 74 and a verticalleft transverse triangular rigid flat smooth panel 72. The bottom ofpanels 72 and 74 are each firmly attached to panel 74. The top of panel74 is also firmly attached at its top to an upper rear lateral centrallysloped flat smooth surfaced panel 73. The panel 71 is attached at itsbottom edge to the inner half of the top edge of the vertical leftmedian panel 74; the bottom edge of panel 73 is attached to the rearhalf of the top edge of panel 74; left lateral outwardly sloped panel 76and a left forwardly sloped panel 75 are firmly attached to the lowersloped edge of panel 74.

A right lateral support panel 67 is firmly attached to the lateral edgeof the lower right lateral sloped panel A left lateral support panel 77is firmly attached to the lateral edge of the lower left lateralsloped-panel 76.

The panels as 76 and 66 serve to support each unit as 50 on thehorizontal frame members as 27 of the frame 51 of assembly 33. Panels61, 63, 71 and 73 are of equal size and have the same rectangular shape,rigidity, thickness and surface smoothness; also, panels 65, 66, 75 and76 are all of the same size and shape, rigidity, thickness and surfacesmoothness. Panels 72 and 62 are of the same size and shape and panels64 and 74 are of the same size and shape. The top edges of panels 65,66, and 76 lie in the same horizontal plane and the bottom edges ofpanels 65, 66, 75 and 76 are colinear and straight. Panel material is 1/16 inch imperforate steel sheet but may use screening at panels 62, 72,69.1 and 69.2, as shown in FIG. 4 also impervious to the grain treated.

The installation 30 provides a system for the proces of grain dryinghereinabove described using the turning apparatus as 50 constructed andarrayed as above de scribed. Grain dryer 33 is an improved column graindryer: the essential elements thereof are herein described in adequatedetail for one of ordinary skill in the art to construct and use theapparatus and process according to this invention; details of theconventional structures in dryer 33 are set out in available literatureand patents such as in Schanzer Co. Bulletins and handbooks. As theimprovement provided by this invention lies in the structure ofplurality of turning units as 50 and the operations therein and theoperation of the system resulting from the use of such units, suchstructure and operation are set outin detail needed for one skilledinthe grain dryer art to make and use such apparatus system and process.

In the overall operation of installation 30, grain stored in the bins31A-G is tested and is passed into the grain garner bin 57 and slowlymoves downwardly through the columns 42 and 42A to the discharge augers48 and 48A at a rate controlled by the rate of discharge of thedischarge augers. Between the bottom of the gamer bin and the top ofeach section as 50, and between each of the turning sections 50 and 150and between turning sections 150 and 250 and between section 250 anddischarge auger 48, the particles of the grain moves through graincolumn portions as 49, 1 49, 249.and 349, at a steady rate (ofone-fourth to onehalf) inches per second downward through the columns 42and 42A, depending on the setting of the rate of speed of the dischargeaugers as 48 and 48A and gates therefor.

During the downward travel of the grain through the columns 42 and 42A,the hot air from the heating fan the heating fan assembly 58 passesintothe zone 45 and then through the screens 52 and 52Athrough a mass of thegrain 80 to and through screen 53 and 53A, respectively, to the exhaustspaces 46 and 46A and out wardly through the vents 47 and 47A. As the,grain moves in columns 42 and 42A downwardly past the level of thebaffle 43, the cool air in the cooling section space 44, passed theretoby the cooling fan assembly 59, passes through the inlet grid screen 52and 52A to the spaces 46 and 46A, respectively.

In operation of apparatus 33 on downward motion of the grain in eachportion, as 42.0 of each column as 42, all of such grain particles movesin parallel vertical rectilinear paths in the vertically sequentiallyarrayed column portions as 49, 149 and 249, which column portionsarelocated between the turn units 50, 150 and 250 and above turn unit 50and below turn unit 250.

In each straight column segment, as 49, 149 and 249 and 349,representative adjacent grains, as 181-187 of mass 80 arediagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 23. In FIG. 23, reference points19l197 define corner points of a rectangular prism 200 surrounding thosegrains l81187 for purpose of defining direction of movement of gas pastsuch grains. A horizontal plane 188 is located at the level of points ofcontact between particles that are located one above the other, as grain181 over grain 183, and as grain 182 over grain 184 and as grain 186over grain 185. The vertical plane 199 is is parallel to inner grid orscreen 52, while vertical plane 198 is perpendicular to inner grid orscreen 52 and also perpendicular to plane 199. Adjacent particles at thesame vertical level and distance from grid 52 as 181 and 182 and as 183and 184 and as 186 and 187 are in contact at points generally locatedbetween the centers of such grains along the direction of or parallel tothe line between points 191 and 192 while adjacent grain particles as181 and 186 and as 182 and 187 are in contact at points between thecenter of such grains and along the direction of the line between points191 and 195, or parallel to such lines.

The vertical spacing between edge 123-124 above the edge 118-119 ofpanel 117 and rigid wall structure and horizontal space between panels74 and 68 (edge 104-105 and 102-103 of unit 56) of unit 50 and units50.1, 50.2, 150, 250, 50A, 150A and 250A) provide vertical support forthe mass of grain above the level defined by the edges as 125-126 and108-109 of unit 50.3. Thereby, unit 50.3 and the like units of apparatus33 (50.1, 50.2, 50A, 150, 150A, 250, 250A) provide for an even rate offlow below the horizontal level of edges as 104-105, 105-110 (and123-124 and 123-122) while the absence of constricted cross sectionalarea as shown in FIG. 21 to the downward passing of the grain througheach unit as 55 and 56 of each assembly as 50.3 in assembly 33 preventsjamming of the grain and allows for smooth passage and control of therate of flow of grain passing through each entire column as 42 by therate of discharge of the auger, as 48, therefor.

In operation of the apparatus 33, as illustrated in FIG. 23, the outwardpassage of hot air parallel to bin 192-196 and 191-195 from space 45 andheater assembly 59 normal or perpendicular to plane 199 is blocked inzones 49, 149 and 249, as well as 349, of each column as 42 fromreaching the portions of grains as 185, 186 and 187 facing planes as 199and outward of other grains as 183, 181 and 182, respectively, which arecloser to the inner grid or screen 52, except as below described inregard to surfaces 91-94. Similarly, those surface portions of eachportion of grain mass outward of particles as 185, 186 and 187 whosesurfaces are substantially parallel to the plane 199 have their accessto air passing through the mass 80 perpendicular to the inner screen orgrid 52 similarly blocked by grains as 185, 186, 187 and 181-184 locatedbetween such grains and the grid 52.

As shown in FIG. 22, the outer portion 80.2 of the grain mass 80 in thegrain space 54 of column 42 is the portion thereof adjacent to grid 53about unit 50. When the mass of grain 42.3 moves downward past edges as125-106 and then passes below edge 106-123 of panel 71 (like edge105-108 of panel 61 of unit 55 of assembly 50.3) the upper surface 93 ofthat grain mass is directly exposed to very hot and dry air which passesdirectly to that upper surface 93 through the grid 52 from space 45.This occurs to all increments of grain in the portion 80.2 duringmovement of such overall mass of grain 80.2 from its position above 50.3and units 50.1 and 50.2 of assembly 50 to their position below assembly50, as shown in FIG. 22. Thereby, the surface of all such grainparticles (as 181-187) are exposed to air passing parallel to the plane199 when the upper surface of each increment of the mass of grain 80.2is so exposed as at position 193, as shown in FIG. 22; the portions ofmass 80.2 are thus exposed to streams of air passing in the direction ofa line extending from points 195 to 197, as shown in FIG. 23 as eachincrement of grain of mass 80.2 passes through a surface as 91 and 93.

Additionally, the inner. portion 80.1 of the grain on each column as 42of apparatus 33, is the portion of grain mass in grain space 54 ofcolumn 42 adjacent to grid 52 above the unit 50, as shown in FIG. 22;when such mass 80.1 passes below the outer edge of panel as 171(corresponding to edge 106-123 of panel 71 of unit 55 of assembly 50.3)the upper surface 193 of such grain mass is exposed to air passingoutwardly through grid 52 during movement of the grain mass 80.1 fromthe position thereof above unit 150.3 of assembly to a position belowunit 150.3 thereby the surfaces parallel to plane 199 of all such grainin mass as 181-187 of FIG. 23 are directly exposed to air passingtherethrough in the direction of points 195 to 197 and parallel theretoand are perpendicular to planes 188.

Thereby, according to the apparatus and process of this invention, whilethe grain mass as 80 of each column as 42 may be regarded as having,above unit 50. one portion 80.1 adjacent grid 52 and another rearportion adjacent grid 53, both portions are exposed to the flow ofdrying air through the interstitial spaces between contact pointsthereof along three mutually perpendicular planes 188, 198 and 199whereby all substantial surface portions of grain are directly andeffectively contacted by the hot drying gas in their passage through thecolumn as 42 of apparatus 33.

The grain moves smoothly along like air contacting surface planes as 91and 93 and 191 and 291 at an angle, of about 40, which angle isdetermined by the angle of repose of the mass of grain as 80 as thedownward velocity of such mass of grain is so very slow, as controlledby augers as 48.

On movement of the grain downward. through the column as 42 at theparticular low speeds for the preferred embodiment and with thedimensions of units as 50.3 the portions of the grain located atdifferent positions at the top surfaces of each turning element, as

shown in FIGS. 12-20, change their position in the grain column, asshown for one, central, portion of the column 42.3 in which portion arelocated assemblies 50.3, 150.3, 250.3 and the grain column portions 49,149 249 therebetween from the numbered positions therefor shown in FIGS.13 and 14 to the position shown in FIGS. 16 and 15, respectively, onpassage through unit 50.3 and thence to the numbered positions thereofshown in FIGS. 17 and 18, respectively. on passage through unit 150.3and then to the position thereof shown in FIGS. 20 and 19 on passagethrough unit 250.3. Accordingly, such motion, through each two units intandem as 50.3 and 150.3 of each assembly as 50 and 150, provide for achange of orientation of the grain particles relative to their verticalaxis thereby increase the effectiveness of contact of the air streampassing through grid 52 and the grain mass between grids 52 and 53although not as regularly as the surface Contact provided by the changein relative planes of gas movement at surfaces 93 and 91 provided by thevertically arrayed cooperative units as 50.3 and 150.3 (and others inunits 50, and 250). However, the movement effected in these pairs ofunits as 50.3 and 150.3 are cooperative and additive and accordinglyparticularly effective to expose all surface of the grains in mass 80 tothe air. The same movement and relation is shown for portions 42.3 applyto the other vertical portions of column 42, i.e., the portions 42.1 and42.2 and, likewise, the corresponding portions of column 42A.

The air flow, as 97, through surface as 93 like flow as 97 in units 150in like zones (193 in unit 150 and 97" in unit 250) is far greater thanair flow, as 98, through column portions as 49 and like air flow velocities through similar full thickness flow through column 42 (throughsegment as 98' through 149 and 98" through 249 and 349). The flowthrough cavities as 99 and 99 and 199' above surfaces as 96 and 95 and196 (below panel 75 and 65 and 175, respectively) and like zones inother units as 50.3 in the assembly 33 does not provide contact ofhottest driest gases with moist cool surfaces as occurs at surfaces as93; however, the voids as 99 between surfaces as 96 and panel 75 doprovide for some increased rate of flow of air or gas streams as 99A and199A and 299A.

The first turn assembly units 50.1 and 50.2 and 50.3 and units ofassembly 50A serve to remove the grain as 80.2 initially adjacent theinner screen or grid 52 and partially dried by gas streams as 98 in itspassage from level 13A to the top of assembly 50 from such a lengthyexposure to the hot heating and drying gases from assembly 59 as wouldcarmelize portions of that grain in the column portion 42 of apparatus33 adjacent grid 52 and also serves to expose at surface 93 surfaces ofthe grain mass 80.1 not theretofore directly exposed to the hot dry air.

The units of second turn assembly 150 and 150.A corresponding to units50.1, 50.2, 50.3 of assembly 50 serve not only to remove the grain mass80.1 from undue lengthy exposure to the hot heating and drying gases ascould carmelize that portion of the grain in segment 149 of columns 42and like portion of column 42A butalso such second turn effectivelyexposes to the very slow moving gases passing through the columns 42(and 42A) all surfaces of the grain particles forming portion as 80.2 ofthe grain mass 80 as above described in regard to actions of surfaces91, 93, 191, and 291.

The exposure to heating gas on such downward motion is sufficientlyeffective that the moisture diffusion which occurs from the interior ofthe grain particles effectively removes so much of the moisture in thegrain particles as to permit such grain particles after such treatmentin dryer 33 to be stored in bins as 31A-G without deterioration asoccurs from excessive moisture content and consequent biochemical actionand heating at localized points at which localized high moisture contentwould otherwise exist. The danger and harm to even small zones of highmoisture content is that the sequence of such a content followed bybiochemical action followed by heating further provides that theresultant localized heating at one small initial zone of grain at suchhigh moisture condition causes biochemical action and further heating inthe volume of grain adjacent to such one small initial point and Zone.The raised temperature of the larger resulting zone similarly causessequential heating and quality deterioration in neighboring zones of thegrain mass in the bins, as 31A-G; however, by the improved removal ofmoisture provided by this apparatus and process, such initialdevelopmentof such initial zones is substantially inhibited andsubstantially prevented.

Such improved exposure of this process results in removal of additionalmoisture from the grain at low temperature and lowers the frequency ofneeded recycling of the grain in the bins 31A-31G of the installation 30to the dryer 33; alternatively phrased, the same dryer 33 with theplurality and sequence of turning assemblies as 50, 150, 250 provided inthe columns as 42 and 42A thereof, effectively treats a larger volume ofthe same grain than would otherwise be treated in such columns with thesame heating and cooling assemblies 58 and 59 or more effectively andefficiently treats the same volume of such grainwith the same heat andair flow input.

The quantitative effect of the flow above and into and through surfacesas 93 and 91 in units as 50 towards and through screen or grid 53 isvery substantial; for example, with a particular installation as 30wherein the apparatus 33 has a space 40 that is 9 feet wide and 60 feethigh, with 12 feet long column segments 49 and 149 and 45 feet from topof column 42 to baffle 43 and 12 feet from bottom of space 45 to baffle43 with center of assembly 250 6 feet below baffle 43 using 3 like unitsas 50.1, 50.2 and 50.3 to form each unit as 50 (50A, 150A, 250, 250A,etc.) of dimensions as set out in Table II and grids 52 and 53, eachbeing of a screen opening size of A by /8 with 1/64 inch wire and apressure differential of one inch of water in the zones 40 and 45 overthe pressure in zone 46 treating corn grains and measuring air flowrates by the angle of quilting thread in zone 46, an air flow rate of 4to 6 times the average air flow through segments 49, 149, 249 existsduring operation of the apparatus 33 at zones between plates 74 and 68of units as 50.3 below panels as 71 and also lateral or rightwards ofplates as 64 and below the location of panel 61 which corresponds to thelowered thickness of the mass of grain thereat as shown in FIG. 22 andthe lowered resistance to air flow through mass near zone surfaces as 93as above discussed.

Savings in grain treatment cost by the above process have been and aresubstantial. At the one installation as above described, treating cornwherein assemblies 58 and 58, without assemblies as 50, 150, 250, 50A,

150A, 150A and 250A, produced 92,000 cubic feet per minute and used18,000,000 B.T.U. per hour for adequate drying of a throughput of 1,500bushels per hour and used input temperature of 250F, the same dryingresult (tested by same moisture test at the discharge of auger 48) wasobtained using only 12,000,000 B.T.U. per hour and input gasestemperature of l40l50F. Edges 108 and 109 and 125-426 and ll2-101 and-117 of units as 50.3 extend to and are firmly attached to vertical andhorizontal members of column frame 25 and extend between and contactscreens 52 and 53. Edges between points 126l241l8119-10- 7-l04l03102contact screens 52 while edge between points 109-110-121-120-128-122,117-116 contact screen 53. Rigid end rectangular end panels TABLE 1Insert (l) EDGES OF PANELS OF TURNING UNIT 50 Edges Panel No. Top lnnerOuter Bottom & 105-108(1.) 63 106-107 105-104 64 104-110 110-121 104-103103-111(1) & ll l-l2l(o) 65 102-103 111-112 102-103 111-112 66 120-121120-121 111-113 111-113 67 102(p) 102-112 102-101 101-112 68 107-128107-119 128-120 109-113(0) & 120-1 13(i) 71 106-128 106-123 128-122123-122 72 125-128 106-123(c) & 125-123(1.) 73 125-126 126-124 123-125124-123 74 124-122 118-114 122-117 117-114(1) & 114-118(0) 75 118-119118-114 119-113 114-113 76 116-117 116-117 115-114 115-114 77 116(p)116-127 116-115 115-127 LEGEND: (p)Point (c)Central (L )Lateral (i)1nner()0ulcr TABLE 11 Insert (2) MEASUREMENTS OF UNlT 50.3 From To DistancePoint 108 Point 109 Point 106 Point 107 6 inches Point 106 Point 128Point 126 Point 125 Edge 104-110 Point 111 11 inches Edge 122-124 Point114 Edge 104-110 Point 103 inches Edge 122-124 Point 118 Edge 107-128Point 1 13 22 inches Point 125 Point 109 34% inches Points 106, 107,108. 109. 125 126 and 128 are all on same horizontal plane.

as 69.1 and 69.2 may be screens as 52 and 53 or imperforate panels as 68and are located between each unit as 50.3 and units as 50.1 and 50.2adjacent thereto and extend as a rectangular shape from screen 52 toscreen 53 and from level of edges as 108-109 to level of 112-101 andfrom level of edges 126-125 to level of 115-127 and are there firmlyheld in place by and attached to frame 25.

The rate of discharge control from each column as 42 is controlled by anauger as 48 but is also adjusted by the adjustable gate 54.5 held by abracket 54.4 which is adjusted by a screw as 54.2 by turning its handle54.3, the screw being supported on a bracket as 54.1 of the frame 25 asshown diagrammatically in FIG. 22.

1 claim:

1. ln a process of drying grain in a column drier including the steps ofpassing a mass of grain to be dried downward through a first verticallyextending column of rectangular section, while passing hot air throughone, preferred vertically extending air inlet surface of said columninto said grain mass through said grain and outward of a perforatedvertically extending air outlet surface, the improvements whichcomprise:

a. passing a first portion of said grain theretofore adjacent saidoutlet screen downwardly along a surface at an angle greater than theangle of repose of said grain and then toward said inlet screen whilesupporting and upwardly exposing a surface of said grain mass at itsangle of repose directly to the hot air stream and directly passing saidhot air from said inlet screen to said upwardly exposed grain surfacethrough said grain and outward of said out let screen, and then b.moving the said first portion of grain mass downward of the column alongthe inlet screen while exposing a vertical surface of said mass to saidhot air, and then passing a second portion of said grain theretoforeadjacent said outlet screen along a surface at an angle greater than theangle of repose of said grain towards said inlet screen while supportingand upwardly exposing a surface of said grain mass at its angle ofrepose directly to the hot air stream and directly passing hot airthrough and outward of said inlet screen to said upwardly exposed grainsurface through said grain and outward of said outlet screen, while (1.moving the grain mass theretofore adjacent to the inlet screen towardthe outlet screen and then vertically downward in contact therewith andmoving said second portion of grain mass downward of the column alongthe inlet screen while exposing a vertical surface of said mass to saidhot air.

2. Process as in claim 1 wherein allof the plurality of portionsinitially adjacent the outlet screen are moved as is said first portionand all portions of said grain mass originally adjacent the inlet screenmove through said column as does said second portion.

3. Process as in claim 2 wherein the grain is subsequently passedthrough a cooling section where another similar reversal of the twoseparate portions of the grain mass is made and direct exposure ofsloped grain surface is similarly provided to a mass of cooling airpassed through the inlet screen.

1. In a process of drying grain in a column drier including the steps ofpassing a mass of grain to be dried downward through a first verticallyextending column of rectangular section, while passing hot air throughone, preferred vertically extending air inlet surface of said columninto said grain mass through said grain and outward of a perforatedvertically extending air outlet surface, the improvements whichcomprise: a. passing a first portion of said grain theretofore adjacentsaid outlet screen downwardly along a surface at an angle greater thanthe angle of repose of said grain and then toward said inlet screenwhile supporting and upwardly exposing a surface of said grain mass atits angle of repose directly to the hot air stream and directly passingsaid hot air from said inlet screen to said upwardly exposed grainsurface through said grain and outward of said outlet screen, and thenb. moving the said first portion of grain mass downward of the columnalong the inlet screen while exposing a vertical surface of said mass tosaid hot air, and then c. passing a second portion of said graintheretofore adjacent said outlet screen along a surface at an anglegreater than the angle of repose of said grain towards said inlet screenwhile supporting and upwardly exposing a surface of said grain mass atits angle of repose directly to the hot air stream and directly passinghot air through and outward of said inlet screen to said upwardlyexposed grain surface through said grain and outward of said outletscreen, while d. moving the grain mass theretofore adjacent to the inletscreen toward the outlet screen and then vertically downward in contacttherewith and moving said second portion of grain mass downward of thecolumn along the inlet screen while exposing a vertical surface of saidmass to said hot air.
 2. Process as in claim 1 wherein all of theplurality of portions initially adjacent the outlet screen are moved asis said first portion and all portions of said grain mass originallyadjacent the inlet screen move through said column as does said secondportion.
 3. Process as in claim 2 wherein the grain is subsequentlypassed through a coolIng section where another similar reversal of thetwo separate portions of the grain mass is made and direct exposure ofsloped grain surface is similarly provided to a mass of cooling airpassed through the inlet screen.